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Adaptation

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President Obama has announced a sweeping climate action plan that aims to cut carbon pollution, help cities adapt to the effects of climate change, and lead international efforts to address the impacts of our changing climate. The San Francisco Department of the Environment is taking concerted efforts to ensure that our city is working at the local level to be part of the solution.

Thanks to ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals, San Francisco has reduced greenhouse gas emissions 14.5 percent below 1990 levels, doubling reduction goals set by the Kyoto Protocol. This milestone is certainly something to celebrate, and exemplifies how innovative policies around energy, waste, and transportation, combined with community-based grassroots action can truly make a difference.

Adaptation Strategies

The working group is currently focusing on the City’s most imminent adaptation concerns: Sea level rise along Ocean Beach and shores, flooding from storm surges and extreme rain events, an increased likelihood of extreme heat, and decreased fog that supports the region’s iconic redwoods and local ecosystems.

Sea Level Rise and Flooding

The working group will help protect the city from rising seas by focusing on strengthening the city’s sea walls, which are barriers that prevent sea level rise from reaching the land. This also includes ensuring that people who live in low-lying areas have proper flood insurance, that new developments have a low-carbon impact and are built with to withstand flooding. In addition to these infrastructure improvements, the working group will also assess nature-based solutions to enhance and utilize natural systems like wetlands to protect the shoreline.

Extreme Heat Events

The working group is also focusing on preparing communities for extreme heat events. In 2012, the San Francisco Department of Public Health, in partnership with Center for Disease Control, conducted a heat vulnerability assessment identifying which neighborhoods and local populations face the greatest risk from extended periods of extreme heat. They are now working to communicate these risks and help prepare residents to face such severe weather.

Preserving the Natural Environment

Preserving and enhancing the natural environment is a key part of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing our communities to adapt. Protecting our local wetlands, watersheds, urban forest, gardens, and green spaces helps prevent storm water runoff, protects the coast from erosion, and promotes natural cooling.

A dynamic city like San Francisco requires the efficient use of clean, renewable energy to meet the needs of today and future generations. Our innovative policies and programs help San Franciscans use energy wisely, while saving money and reducing environmental impacts.

Extras

SF Environment aims to reduce travel-created carbon by getting people out of cars and instead traveling by walking, biking or public transit. We also are greening the City fleet of vehicles and encourage the public to reduce their impact by supporting cleaner fuels and vehicles.

Extras

As the first city to adopt the Precautionary Principle, San Francisco strives to protect the health of its residents, visitors and the local environment. SF Environment develops programs and policies to help individuals and businesses make safer choices in products, practices and services.

Extras

San Francisco is habitat for 800,000 people – meeting needs for space to work, play, and learn; for food, water, and air; for community with local flora and fauna. SF Environment provides support for urban agriculture and forestry and green buildings, helping residents and businesses harness environmental opportunities.

Extras

SF Environment focuses on building community capacity - engaging people throughout the City’s neighborhoods and providing them with the tools, education, and job opportunities to ensure that the places where we live, play, learn, and work are safe and healthy.

Extras

Reducing carbon emissions is central to ensuring a sustainable future for San Francisco. Climate change will bring unstable weather, rising sea levels and damage to our city’s natural habitat and infrastructure. SF Environment is committed to mobilizing the City to deal with Climate Change.